Smyly was off today, but that's not a role he is real accustomed to yet, so I'm not too concerned. Al Al, Benoit and Coke all did a nice job to secure the victory. JV didn't have his best stuff, though the conditions were hardly ideal and he still didn't give up a run. Got his first win on Opening Day as well.

So glad baseball is finally back. Now, I'm really getting stoked for the home opener on Friday.

Smyly was off today, but that's not a role he is real accustomed to yet, so I'm not too concerned. Al Al, Benoit and Coke all did a nice job to secure the victory. JV didn't have his best stuff, though the conditions were hardly ideal and he still didn't give up a run. Got his first win on Opening Day as well.

So glad baseball is finally back. Now, I'm really getting stoked for the home opener on Friday.

Yeah, Drew did not instill a lot of confidence, but he'll be fine. He's been throwing well and it was what, 34° in Minnesota? On Bless You Boys, someone purporting to know Smyly quoted him as saying he "couldn't feel the ball", whether or not that's an actual quote I don't deny that it's probably true.

Nice to see the other bullpen arms do their jobs well, though. Very nice.

If Blue Jays Catcher J.P. Arencibia keeps having games like he did last last night, he's going to be on a first-name basis with all the ticket holders in the front row behind home plate. He should just take the solid advice of broadcasting legend (yes, I said it) Bob Uecker:

The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up.

If Blue Jays Catcher J.P. Arencibia keeps having games like he did last last night, he's going to be on a first-name basis with all the ticket holders in the front row behind home plate. He should just take the solid advice of broadcasting legend (yes, I said it) Bob Uecker:

Well, today is another day. I'll be sure to stay away from the vast amounts of people who will no doubt be declaring, "THIS IS BECAUSE NO ONE WAS NAMED CLOSER!" Granted, Phil probably shouldn't have faced that righty when Dotel and Al-Al were still available, but hey - it's only April.

As an aside, I wanted to mention that a close friend of mine started a Tigers blog complete with cursing, totally biased opinions, and everything else you want from a blog about your favorite team. I know this isn't exactly the forum to do it, but I thought I'd mention it in the event that anyone might be interested in reading it.

Ugh. I guess it's worth a shot, but all I can think about is Valverde getting shelled in the playoffs. Unless he has regained some velocity, I don't know how this can possibly work out. At this point, I think you may as well give Al Al a chance to close. Coke can't get out righties whatsoever, Dotel struggles with lefties, so neither is fit unless you mix/match in the 9th.

I don't mind the closer by committee as long as Leyland uses guys properly. Coke exclusively was never going to work with his splits against right-handers. The upside is that at least they can work thought this as best as possible early in the season. It stinks to blow games late, but if the problem persists, then DD knows he has to make a move this summer.

Oh boy, the bullpen is really bad. The offense and starting pitching is loaded if they can just get some help from the relievers to hold leads. Villarreal has to start throwing strikes. It's the same reason he wasn't on the playoff roster and it isn't fixed at all.

Torii Hunter is terrific, though. Quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the team.

Oh boy, the bullpen is really bad. The offense and starting pitching is loaded if they can just get some help from the relievers to hold leads. Villarreal has to start throwing strikes. It's the same reason he wasn't on the playoff roster and it isn't fixed at all.

Torii Hunter is terrific, though. Quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the team.

Hunter has been an amazing addition to this team, I fully agree.

I can't believe how bad the bullpen has been. Everyone knew there'd be question marks, but damn it's been downright awful these first two weeks. Villarreal should be optioned and Marte should be brought up. I think they truly need a closer, too. The committee style seems to be throwing the whole thing out of whack.

Trying to go shoulder-to-shoulder was a bad move, to say the least. Quinten overreacted in a major way, though. I don't blame Kemp a bit for being hot about it, since Marquis sent one past his head in the third. Quinten has literally been pegged by strikes, I don't blame the Dodgers for wanting revenge - especially after Quinten's comments after the game.